Navigating Cosmic Discourse: Evolution of Coalitions and Discourse Networks in U.S. Space Policy

• In Event: Governance of Science, Technology, and AI

Abstract

The space policy sector continues to undergo significant transformation. Moon to Mars endeavors, exploring deep space, and low Earth orbit activities are among the priorities of various individuals and organizations. The development of priorities coincides with privatization, international collaboration, and shifts of coalition dynamics in the cross-national space policy subsystem  This subsystem is formed by many stakeholders, or policy actors, from both public and private organizations seeking to influence decisions making in space. This study investigates how these changes affect the discourse networks of space policy discussions, and how the international space policy agenda has changed over time. Congressional hearings from 1958 to 2023 are used to examine these changes. Witnesses invited to congressional hearings to participate in space policy discussions are inspected for affiliation diversification outside of traditional government roles following policy, societal, privatization, and international collaboration changes. Discourse network analysis (DNA) is applied to hearings to map actor congruence networks, coalitions, and the modularity of space policy discussions and the agenda overtime. The results of this study provides an archetype for examining long term policy subsystem change, contributing to understanding of subsystem typology evolution defined under the Advocacy Coalition Framework.

Author

• Cheyenne A Black, University of Oklahoma
  Presenting Author